Hi, thought I'd introduce myself.  I stumbled across this forum on my quest to look into buying a pug puppy.  I am already the owner of a yellow lab who is now 9, and slowing down quite rapidly.  If anyone out there could offer any advice or information on where to start looking I would be very appreciative.  I have been reading up alot on the breed, but now want to find a really good breeder.  I am in no rush to buy, but believe there are waiting lists.  Many thanks for anyone that can help :)

Welcome!  Have you tried the Kennel Club? they should be able to give you a list of breeders & clubs that may be able to help you. good luck

There are always going to be differences in the type of pugs depending on the breeder once you really start looking at them.
There are people on here who will point you in the right direction with regards health as its imperative that both parents have had certain tests done.
Have a look at the breed club, join up and attend some of their shows - great place to meet, breeders and owners and others who love the breed.
http://www.pugdogclub.org.uk/

There are plenty of shows in which to see some pugs. What I liked to do when I was looking at my breed before I one was attend shows, grab a catalogue and mark off the dogs you like the look of and then see if there is a common breeder/s and then go from there. Most people working for the breed club should be able to help you along the way.

Hi and welcome to the forum, you are so right taking your time, there are some very poor examples of your favoured breed so you will need the time to study and learn. Wishing you all the best and good searching.

Welcome to CD. Enjoy!

Thank you for your tips, I will follow them all up :)

I would go to shows and look at what I liked and start talking to breeders.The breed club is also another place to investigate.
Personally I have little faith in the KC list, they take your money and that's it, there are people on there who breed consecutively, a lot of people who we have never heard of ( I appreciate people have to start breeding) but what back up will these people get.
Saying that there are also a lot of good breeders on there but I wanted to point out that just because they are on the KC site it is no guarrantee.

Good luck in your research.

Welcome and do take the time to find the right breeder...

My dogs are 12yrs and soon to be 10 & 11yrs and I am now just researching a breeder of a certain breed I am interested in- have been researching the breed for about a year and just started contacting breeders- not planning on getting another dog for about 2-3yrs but want to make sure i no everything i need to no and also a good breeder which i think I have found- so planning on keeping in touch until then...

best of luck with your search :-)

Hiya hope your search goes well

Hi and welcome to the forum.  Beware that there are a lot of nutters on here!  :-)  :-)

Seriously, you are going about things the right way, and you will be so glad that you did your research first.  You will find a load of knowledge and experience on here from the 'old hands' and hopefully Gwen will see your post - she will be able to give you breed specific advice.

Hi,

I've also come across this site for the same reason. I am a total dog novice and would really appreciate some help and advice on which breed is right for me. I did like the idea of the small dogs crossed with poodles so they as I don't have a massive apartment and I liked the idea of not having to worry about shedding too much. I have been reading the posts about how these new 'breeds' are really quite immoral from the sounds of things and feel even more lost than I did before.

I have heard terrible stories in the past about how irresponsible breeding has lead to awful results in the dog's health developing further and further into the 'breed' as they continue. I hadn't realized dogs like the matepoo kind (which had really appealed to me) were included in this group.

I basically would like a small dog with a good temperament that preferably won't shed everywhere. I've never owned a dog before and want to get it right. Your help would be really appreciated.

Kate - if you're looking for a genuine non shedding breed ( as opposed to the BYB breeders adverts about dogs that don't shed - when they do) you need to go for a pedigree dog to be honest.

But bear in mind that if you want the convenience of no dog hair, you need to be prepared for loads of grooming.  It is totally unfair to keep a poodle (for instance) and not groom it daily.  If you're not willing to put in the hard work - give it second thoughts!

And be prepared for 6-8 weekly visits to the dog groomers for clipping.  This is not cheap!  If you can't clip yourself, it is something that has to be done by someone.  But you do need to keep up the grooming youself in between visits.  Once matted, and left, the poor dog has no way to alleviate the discomfort that you have caused. 

Obviously, poodles are not the only non shedding breed, but do some research first.  I am not trying to put you off!  :-)  But the treasure of this forum, is that you can come and be told the drawbacks as well as the benefits.  Personally, I adore Poodles, but I do find grooming therapeutic.  Some folk find grooming a chore.  Think about which category you fall into!  :-)

Hi Kate, I imagine that as well as the purebred poodles, there are a fair few 'doodle' crossbreeds in rescues by now as owners find that in spite of the hype they are still dogs that need grooming and training. Just don't go paying thousands of pounds for a puppy as that's where the rip off is. You might also consider a bichon, another small non-shedding breed, though as Jean says they do still need regular groomer and specialist clipping if you don't do it yourself. I have met so many people who think that because poodles and bichons etc don't shed, they don't need brushing!